I'm doing a Lion King, here's Part 1 1/2

When I wrote Part 2, I was too tired to write all that happened in between Part 1 and Part 2 of my Truck Purchasing Drama. The story really didn't form until Hubby and I told it to Mom last weekend. So in tradition of the Lion King animated movies, here's what happened in between.

Being the geek that I am, I used the power of the internet in my truck search. Autotrader.com and Cars.com were my best friends. Even though most vehicles posted on their sites are 'teaser priced' to get you on the lot, at least you can get some competitive prices and negotiation power.
I expanded my search not just locally but 50 miles from my zip. This included southern ATL.

During the 1 1/2 weeks we were waiting on the Part 1 truck to be ready, I still continued the search to make sure we were getting the BEST deal, but not as aggressively as before. On Cars.com, there were several trucks in the ATL area that were still on my list but I hadn't pursued. After the ordeal in Part 1 on Tuesday, I upgraded my search again, but this time the selection was dimmer than before. I was told that used crew cab trucks are hard to find and there are many other buyers searching for them too. Even when they do come available, they do not last long.
I was not surprised, there are plenty trucks in the parking lot at work, at the grocers, and other shopping areas around here.

I became so discouraged that I began looking for SUVs, even though I knew we needed a truck. Hubby was starting day shift the next week and we needed to get something by the weekend. Earlier had mentioned to Hubby that there were a few trucks in the ATL on my list that I hadn't followed up on. He felt that ATL was too far away, we should be able to find a deal down here. But being the stubborn person I am, I could not delete them from my saved list until I at least checked them out. One was in Union City (Ford F-150) and the other in Decatur (GMC Sierra). I made contact with both.

The salesman in Union City was quick, cordial and eager for me to come take a look. The salesman in Decatur was cordial too, but seemed to move slow for me. I guess that's the no pressure demeanor for Saturn.

On Thursday, I had made arrangements to go to Union City, and also made informed the Saturn dealership (via email, his preference) that I wanted to see the Sierra while I was up there. Since I hadn't heard back from Saturn, Hubby suggested I called the General Sales Manager to try to get the ball moving. With only 11,000 miles for an '07, it was the best option we saw. It was time for me to pick up son from camp, so Hubby called for me. A few minutes later, before I could get situated in the car, Hubby called with arrangements to go see the Sierra truck first. So after picking up son and getting something to eat on the road, we were headed up I-75 to the ATL.

Now one major concern Hubby had was that the Prelude would overheat on the way, if we were caught in the most common traffic backups. I was not concerned, son and I had a prayer before we left for the Lord to get us there safely, without the car overheating. We were to drive the Sierra back home so hubby can check it out.
As I drove through the 90F degree heat, the Temp indicator rose steadily, but I kept my faith and drove on. With the indicator nearing the top, the Lord stepped in and provided us an afternoon rainshower. As it began the car temp cooled drastically. I drove on slowly knowing the Lord was getting us there, as we had prayed. The rain continued until we neared the bypass I-675, once there, the skies cleared and there was no heavy traffic. The temp needle rose again but we were almost to Decatur. We arrived not long later, having no problems.

After a test drive, loaner paperwork was done and we were on our way, except for a quick "breather" stop to see my cuz before the drive home. There was rain on the way home too, but not as heavy.

Friday morning, Hubby checked out the truck and we decided to move forward with the purchase. I spent the day trying to get all the financing and insurance taken care of with the credit union when Hubby called and said that Saturn wanted the financing and was willing to negotiate and get us a lower rate. But since we was no guarantee we would finance through them, we hurried to get a check from the CU before they closed. Thankfully, they were open later on Fridays.

Now to the big day, Saturday, we drove back up to the ATL with check in hand. We had prior given Saturn our financial info so they can get started with the credit approval. What really proves that the Lord had intervened two days earlier, this time we were in the usual traffic backups. That Prelude would have surely overheated leaving son and I stranded on the interstate.

Eventually we arrived and met with the GSM, different one than Hubby talked to Thursday, to discuss their financing offer and complete the deal. The original offer was not what we expected. The rate was lower, but with their add-ons the payment would have been higher. As Hubby and I discussed it, the GSM was giving us payment amounts with the individual options but not all. We said that we would just move forward with the credit union offer. To my surprise, he offered to match the CU payment and give us all the options and lower rate. We agreed and the deal was done. This shows it's great to have a backup plan in place when negotiating.

After the dust settled and I began to think about the search, I realized that truck had been on my list near the beginning. The Lord presented it to me, but we looked locally. We were not meant to have that truck in Part 1. I could see that then. We had worried that the Prelude would die in days and had not put our trust in the Lord to get us through.

This is another example in my life where by putting my faith in Him, He blessed us with not just what we needed, but also what we wanted. GMC Sierra is my favorite truck.

End Of Days is here

I had no idea of how well of a fictional writer I was until yesterday. Last week I wrote Brawl at Summer Camp not knowing that son would be involved in an altercation this week. The incident was not as involved as my imagination had portrayed, it was just him and an older girl. I can’t cite the details as I do not know yet the full story. Basically niece did not budge when she watched a portion of incident and she joined the defense of the girl.

Whether it was “divine intervention”, “Lord works in mysterious ways”, or just coincidence, as some may feel, but it was a blessing that Sis needed me to drop off niece to Mom’s on my way home. In the approximate 10 minutes drive, their incessant bickering pushed me to my “I’m turning the both of you over to Grandma” limit.

In a way, Mom was pleased we had the opportunity to get to the heart of the HATE portion of their LOVE/HATE relationship. It took some prying but we were able to force verbalization of their feelings for one another. Whether it’s called the “Devil”, “Satan”, or “Anti-Christ”, the name doesn’t matter, but what they had to understand is that they are following it instead of God and the teachings of Jesus. A person can’t follow both evil AND good as they are opposite.

It was emotional for me as for 7 ½ months, they lived in my home as siblings. Both agreed that their friction increased during that time. It should have been expected as both had prior lived as an “only” child in a household and then had to adjust to sharing time, space, and attention from “parent(s)”. In some aspect their relationship did grow as they had someone readily for playtime when indoors, even though they wouldn’t admit it.

Thankfully, after techniques of role-reversal and eye-contact communication, they both admitted that they loved the other, but frequently disliked each other. It was a start.

This situation applies to not just them but our society. There is so much hatred and no love for the fellow person. This hatred does not always personify as physical violence, there is ignorance of homeless, spread of sexual diseases, bigotry, envy, road-rage, and something simple as negative assumptions.

In reference to the “End of Days” as written in the Book of Revelation in the Holy Bible, some recant the time as the physical destruction of the world, but what about the destruction of Love. It would seem that this destruction should matter more as this physical world does not exist in Heaven.

We pray that ‘thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven”, but can we ever expect “peace on Earth”?

What makes a life Grand?

I am not one who takes Blog Awards lightly. Each are special in their own unique way. underOvr (aka The U) has bestowed upon me the Life Is Grand Award and I am most grateful.
There are two requirements to this award: specify five ways why your life is grand and pass it on to five other bloggers. I have been led to approach my acceptance differently than I have done in the past.

As my brain cells squirmed with thoughts for this post, I began to take a look at my daily life. I asked myself, "What makes my life Grand?" In a time when I worry about employment stability because it's been less than a year in our home. Body tension erupts resulting from receiving a letter from my child's school informing me he has been suspended for "dishonest behavior". Then saddened that I'm not shocked because I have been dealing with that same behavior at home. My heart aches every time I realize that my niece has failed to receive some basic knowledge she should have had long ago. Failed by parents, relatives, AND educators as we all are responsible. As I dread paying the $300 electricity bill and make financial arrangements for medical expenses for procedures completed months ago, financial woes overcome me. As family and friends confide their woes to me, I've missed opportunities to do something I've planned.

There may be some who may think that a life with these concerns cannot be Grand, but it is because of these concerns my life IS. Monetary wealth is just a means to a way of physical life; just an aspect of this world. There is hope as my child had already confessed his wrongdoings a day before the letter was sent from the school. It is remarkable at the progress in my niece's life physically, emotionally, and academically in the four months she had been living with us. Thankful that this last medical bill arrived JUST AFTER the payoffs were sent for all of the previous outstanding ones. Humbled to know we all can rest comfortably warm during the many frigid nights this winter. It is an honor to know that some have trusted their confidence in me and to know the advice I speak is not my own; it was being delivered through me.

What all this comes to is my faith. My faith to believe life is not "half-empty" or "half-full", but filled to the rim. There are so many blessings in life, the cup "runeth over", all we need to do "seek and they shall be found".

My Life Is Grand, because my life is Blessed.

Here is the part where I am supposed to pass on this award to five other bloggers. Normally, I would review the blogs I follow to locate the ones that most affect me in the manner of the award and then select. In this case I am led to nominate "bloggers" of a different sort. They are the ultimate communicators. The most encouraging of mentors of living a grandious life. They have been the most effective in my life. I nominate:

• God
• Lord
• Father
• Son
• Holy Spirit

No explanation necessary.

things happen for a reason

We may not understand why events occur when they do. So many of them shape our lives in preparation for what we must one day face and conquer. We must accept them as blessings to a more divine end.

For two years non-continuously starting the summer 2006, we searched for a new home. We dealt with non-responsive realtors, over-priced resale homes, non-spacious new construction homes, and many homes in fair to poor conditions. Twice invested in home inspections. I say invested because critical problems were found in each.

When son started kindergarten his behavior problems occupied much of my time, the home search time was drastically reduced. A year later we started to actively search again when a home was offered for sale on the same street as my mom. This sparked out interest again. Eventually we found a new realtor who worked with us until the end.

We never suspected to live so far from town (job, school); we sought a location where hubby could park the tractor part of his truck (over the road driver). We found a lot in a great neighborhood close to what is known to be best elementary school in county. Two months after moving in, hubby was offered an opportunity to make shuttle runs and to be home daily instead of bi-weekends. He took it.

Now, as of last Friday, unfortunate circumstances has led my niece to be living with us until at least to the end of the school year. It is a true blessing that we are able to provide her a stable, productive environment where she can make achievements in academics, physical and emotional health, and personal well-being.

We soared over a major hurdle already, fractions. She started with a frown and "I hate fractions!" to a glowing grin when she finally understood. She is as proud of herself as I am of her.

There is not much concern for the kids behavior towards each other. Since both have had limited interactions with their half-siblings, they have always treated each other as such.

It is amazing to me how the daily occupants of this household has doubled in just three months time. Adjustments will need to be made from all of us, we are willing to give this honest try.

Not sure how much time I will have for blogging, but I suspect writing, which is new to me, will be my vice for peace of mind.

So the saying is true, "Things Do Happen For A Reason"

would have been 77

As I unpacked yesterday in a urge to finally clear out boxes in my office. I opened a box of old books. I did not peruse them to see who they belonged to, but assumed they belonged to hubby since they were biblical study in nature.

After arriving from work, hubby looked at a few and said they were not his.

Puzzled, I opened one, Matthew Henry's COMMENTARY ON THE WHOLE BIBLE VOL. VI., and immediately saw my father's name and the address of his aunt's house. It is where he lived before he purchased the home for my mom a few months before they were married. This book was over 45 years old. The other addresses were my parents' first home and the address were I was raised.

Oddly, there was no copyright. I was able to find out that the original text was published in 1706. I am now intrigued. I have sent a message to the publising house. Hopefully someone will call me back.

Some of the other texts I found of his are ...
Bible Readings for the Home, 1949
James Moffatt, The Bible, A New Translation, several copyrights up to 1954
The Lost Books of the Bible, 1926

Now there were a few books that should belong to one of my brothers. I doubt they were apart of my father's collection and all of my old books and school texts have not been unpacked yet.

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, PART ONE and PART TWO
Stephen Demko, Primer for Linear Algebra

Ironic or coincidental, books that will provide another perspective into my father's life, are found on his would have been 77th birthday.

Happy Birthday Dad!

God's Little Cherub

A friend gave me permission to post this. Her daughter was in a critical auto accident a few years ago. Her survival that day and her recovery since has been a miracle blessing. Now her daughter has had another...

God's Little Cherub

***** I have witnessed another one of GOD’s miracles *****

You know the story about my daughter (Daughter1) injuries when she had the accident. All of her internal organs shut down. Last year in August she had a miscarriage. She was pregnant again in November. Her OB/GYN told her that her body rejects the shot and she can not take birth control pills.

Daughter1 arrived at the hospital on Wednesday morning around 10:00am. She was still one centimeter. The doctor gave her “something” to soften her uterus at 1:00pm. Still one cm. The nurse assured me that she will NOT have the baby until Friday morning or around noon. Still one cm, I got ready to leave at 11:00pm and was planning to come back by 6:00am. When I got up to leave, her water broke so I stayed. One hour after her water broke, she had dilated from 1cm to 4cm. It’s about 12:05 or so. She was hurting so bad, she asked for an epidural. Around 1:40 she dilated 8cm. Around 2:00 she had dialed 10cm. The baby would not come out. Every time she lay on her left side, his heart rate would drop. When she pushed, his heart rate would drop. Her nurse say there is a chance the cord was wrapped around his neck. At this point the doctors begin to prepare for a Cesarean. 10 minutes later, the baby acted liked he wanted to come out again. She pushed but his heart rate dropped so low the doctor stop. He went to prepare for the Cesarean again. The doctor told her to lay on her right side and do not push.

Daughter1 and I was the only two in the room. She looked up and said someone just sat on the bed with her. I said…..well, maybe it’s my mom. So she begins to relax. About 10 minutes later, she said someone is sitting on the bed and is rocking. I said Daughter1; it has to be GOD or maybe my mom and dad. After she laid there for 30 minutes, I went to get the nurse. I had a feeling that she should not just be laying there and his head was at the opening ready to come out. The nurse checked her and told her the baby had to come out now. She called for the respiratory specialists. At this point everything was critical. 10 respiratory specialists were in the room in less then 3 minutes. It was like they were waiting at the door. There were 16 people in the room which included Me, Daughter1 and Daughter2. As she being to push his heart rate begin to drop and I called on the name of Jesus and asked him to please come in the room with us. When Grandbaby3 came out, the cord was wrapped around his neck and a knot was in the cord. He was not breathing.

The specialists begin to work with him tying to get him to breathe. Everybody else was silent except the ones working with him. My daughters did not know that he was not breathing but I did. All I could say was Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Lord have mercy. One of the respiratory specialists kept hitting him in the lower part of this back and another one were clearing and cleaning him at the same time. The head nurse is a friend of mine and she kept looking at me as if she was worried. Grandbaby3 made a weak sound and I shouted and said breathe baby breathe. Scream baby scream. They kept working with him and he began to cry. Thank you Jesus.

The head nurse told me she had to give Grandbaby3 two breaths. I explained to Daughter1 and Daughter2 what I was told and what was going on. I told them Jesus was there and his angels were there with the baby. Daughter1 has not gotten much sleep. I stayed with her 4 days last week to help with the baby. He is a good baby. I keep telling Daughter1 that GOD did NOT bring her this far to leave her.

Just as the Lord is on her side, everything will be alright. Please hug yourself for me because you would have to have been there to feel the presence of Jesus.

I thank my GOD at ALL time for HIS mercy and HIS present in our lives.

my declaration of independence

Today, July 4, 2008, I declare my independence from the restrictions of my mind.
I no longer concede to the fear of owning a business again. I have been blessed with bountiful resources to guide me along the way.
I no longer consider myself just a writer, I am an exceptional writer; I have the potential to be more as I yearn to learn more.
I no longer concede to the excuses of being a healthier person. I have the ability to control my eating habits and not binge during stressful moments. I have the equipment to development an exercise routine and the determination to follow it.
I will no longer accept limitations placed upon me by society. The opposition of my race, gender, economic status, or faith will not deter me. My eyes have been opened, my ears unplugged, and mouth un-gagged.

I am Sista GP. This is my Independence Day.

now i know

Man of the house. Head of household. Father. Husband. Teacher. Leader. There are so many titles applicable to you. Your family was your life. Went to work each day, returned home each evening and there you stayed.

Taught me strength, courage, dedication. Taught me how to roof a house, mix concrete, lay bricks, change oil, change a tire and play horseshoe.

Represented the finest qualities to seek in a man. Represented the finest qualities of a man of God. At times you were not a man of many words, your actions spoke your meaning.

In your final hours, the last words I heard you spoke, you said to me, “you will find your answer”, I did not understand its meaning. Now I do. When you put your faith into the Lord, realize what truly matters is what is inside, then you are truly blessed. Jobs, houses, cars, worldly possessions are immaterial in the light of the Lord.

It took the loss of those items for me to focus my attention in the right direction. I possess those items again, but with a different perspective. There is no sense of “mine”. They just exist today and can easily be gone tomorrow. What matters is what is inside of me. My thoughts and actions represent who I am, what I am. A child of God.

At times I am saddened that you did not live to see me as I am now. Then I remember I know you are aware because of your presence in my dreams.

I thank you daddy for living your life as you had. I thank you for giving a daughter everything she needed in a father.

May your soul rest in peace.

Fear

How could a word so small control the majority for one’s life?

As children, we fear our parent’s wrath, loss of their love, and the ‘boogie’ man.
As teenagers, we fear lack of popularity, not ‘making the grade’, and making incorrect decisions that affect our future.

As adults, we fear financial instability, substandard parenting skills, and lack of a significant other.

Why should we fear these things? They are unknowns.
What are we lacking in our lives that allow us to succumb to these emotions?
How do we conquer these emotions?

God

The love of God erases the doubts of the unknown. Within faith, nothing should be feared.

© 2008 Bernice Burks